BHTA, Walden University Honor 'Tourism Champion' From Atlantis

The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) has partnered with Walden University to honor, celebrate and provide educational opportunities to the BHTA’s “tourism champions”.

“Tourism champions put forth by their employers are persons who contribute significantly to the tourism industry through their respective organizations. Tourism champions are chosen for their consistent efforts to provide the highest standard of service; for their professionalism; their ever-present positive, friendly attitudes. Tourism champions offer the best of themselves in their work environment,” states Carlton Russell, president of the BHTA.

The BHTA and Walden University, who are global leaders in student-centered online education, have partnered to recognize tourism champions every month at a luncheon hosted by Walden University, where fellow employees, peers and supervisory staff gather to listen to a Walden faculty presenter speak on a topic chosen by the respective tourism champion, and to hear about educational opportunities provided by Walden University. Each tourism champion is awarded a $2500.00 Walden University scholarship, and employees of BHTA member organizations are offered a 25 percent discount on Walden University online courses.

This month, Dario Charlton, room analyst and executive assistant to Stuart Bowe — the BHTA’s immediate past president and senior vice president and general manager of Atlantis, Paradise Island — was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the tourism Industry in his capacity at Atlantis.

Jason Lyons, vice president of Laureate International University, joined the celebratory event to honor Dario Charlton and to personally express his thanks to Stuart Bowe and Carlton Russell, who are currently enrolled in Walden University’s online doctoral program. The Atlantis executives, who are also leaders in the tourism industry, said undertaking continued educational opportunities provides a befitting, real-life example that a person can always benefit from continued education, no matter where they are in their career path.